The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-25
al the point their paths diyeIged, and that he had
no knowledge whatever of his fate


no knowledge whatever of his fate.
FINDING CANDLES BODY.
Ihus matters rested fora week or two, when the
pouy OF the missing man was found lodged against
some rocks, in the channel of the river, twenty
mues or more below the point where Mercer claimed
10 nave left him. No one could account for his
ueatA ana 1t was urged by some that being intoxi-
Gated, he had simply fallen over the precipitous
paIk OF the stream, and that death by drowning
hIu resulted. Others however, insisted that
CRIME had been committed, basing their claim
mainly upon the fact that the remains were par
ulIy dlarobed and had been stripped of everything
of value
mus matters went on for two or three months,
Wnen events of rather unusual and sensational
nature transpired After the custom of the country
there was great -husking bee given about the
hrst OF November, at the barn of John Travis a few
miles from New Martnsville and the boys and girls
from all the surrounding farms were there together
WIN not few OF elder years. Among Others crowd
OF 1lteen or twenty young men went out from New
Marunsvlle, and after night spent in mingled
WORK, kissing and cider drinking the town boys
started to return home. The party kept together
until they came to the brow of the immense hill
winch bounds the town on the east, where halt
was called. The hillside was very steep, and as
thefe were two paths leading down to the river bot
tom, one direct but difficult and dangerous and the
o!her, Whlle little longer, comparatively easy,
dispute arose as to which should be taken. The
teo INTO two rival factions each agreeing to take
one OF the routes, and wager being made condi-
oned that the party arriving the courthouse
square should buy gallon Of whisky.
CURIOUS ADVENTURE
Inc party which took the longest but less preoipi
tous route came out on the river bottom about
mile below the town. and just south of the location
OF sWampy piece of land The owner of this land
mad cut deep ditch through the high bank of the
river to drain hollow behind, and the depression
nlf11AA had At. -, ~
raVlne 1ulI OF brush and small tees. A path ran
along the river bank parallel with the stream, and
tus crossed this rayine at right angles This path
was the one taken by Mercer and Gamble on the
night when the latter met his DEATH and the spot
about the little ravine was extremely lonely one
at the hour when the belated party of cornhuskers
arrived upon the scene. The young men had cen
travelling at their utmost speed to avoid having to
buy the jug of whisky and by the time they came
TO the raVine one of their number, John Hineman
VINO was the proprietor of tavern and saloon in
town, was SO badly blown that he could no longer
keep up he told his companions not to risk losing
the wager on his account, but to hurry on to the
appointed rendezvous and thus win the bet and he
would follow after he had become rested bit,
ana help to drain the jug the others would have to
Hineman sat down upon the edge of the little ra-
vine to rest and the m Under of the party hurried
on 10 town. The had barely got beyond hearing,
When Hlneman was startled by slight noise be-
hlnd him, and on looking around he was Mortified
at seeing tall figure, robed from neck to heels in
white, standing within few feet of him. The
heightened man managed to call out "Whos
there"' to which mufiled voice made answer that
1t was the spirit of John Gamble who had been
murdered close by. Hineman managed to screw
up courage enough to ask who committed the
crime when the spirit" replied: "Lem Mercer"
Inc Whitehead figure then stole softly and silently
away, and Hineman lost no time in getting upon
his legs and hurrying to town. He made his ap-
pearance upon the public square more dead than
alVe but after pull or two at the jug, managed to
relate to his companions what had occurred. The
next morning party visited the ravine and after
thorough search Of the locality succeeded in dis
covering some articles which were recognized as
belonging to the murdered man.
MERGERS TRIAL.
The day following this Mercer came up to New
Martinsville, and it was agreed that Hineman
should be given an opportunity to talk to him alone
Hineman, accordingly, called Mercer into the little
| parlor of his house. and was proceeding to
question him, when Mrs, Hineman, who was cogni-
zant of her husbands aim, broke open the door of
the apartment, and brought the inquisiton to an
abrupt termination.
Mercer was arrested and brought to trial, he be-
ing defended by the present Judge Alpheus f. Hay
mond while the venerable Judge G. W. Thompson
OF Ohio county, now cighty-two years of age sat
upon the bench. The prosecuting attorney was the
father of Sep. Hail. Of New Martinsyille, now
deceased. long and closey-contested legal battle
was fought but despite the utmost endeavors Of the
state, it was impossible to obtain direct proof of
the guilt Of the accused, and verdict of mot
guilty. was returned by the jury.
Mercer continued to live in the vicinity of New
Martinsyie for many years, but led blasted life,
with no friends The little ravine where John
Hineman saw the ''ghost'' is known to this day as
Gamble Hollow, from the belongings of the murder
ed man so peculiarly revealed therein.